Sunday, May 05 2024 Donate
A service of EWTN News

After outcry, city scraps plan for Abortion Provider Appreciation Day

Alexandria, Virginia City Hall/ Ser Amantio di Nicolao via Wikimedia (CC BY 3.0)

The Alexandria City Council will no longer be considering a resolution to honor abortionists, after the city’s mayor pulled the item from the agenda for the March 8 meeting.

“The proclamation has now been pulled from the agenda on Tuesday at my request,” said Mayor Justin Wilson (D) in an email that was obtained by the website The Daily Wire March 4.

The docket for the Legislative Meeting of the Alexandria City Council no longer includes item 7, which would have designated March 10 as “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day.”

Alexandria’s Catholic community immediately spoke out against the proposed proclamation.

The Basilica of St. Mary, located in Alexandria, encouraged its parishioners to contact the city council about the proclamation. Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington released a statement condemning the proclamation as well.

Burbidge called on residents of Alexandria “to express their opposition to this proclamation,” and for everyone else in the diocese to “proclaim the Gospel of Life by word and example.”

According to the now-rescinded proclamation, “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day” is to “celebrate the courage, compassion, and the high-quality care that abortion providers and clinic staff provide” and to honor the memory of Dr. David Gunn. Gunn, an abortionist, was murdered on March 10, 1993, outside of the Pensacola Women's Medical Services abortion clinic.

His killer, Michael Frederick Griffin, reportedly yelled “don’t kill any more babies” before fatally shooting Gunn. Griffin was sentenced to life in prison.

“Abortion Provider Appreciation Day,” which is also known as the “National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers,” is a national campaign that was was started in 1996 by the Abortion Care Network to honor Gunn. Gunn is believed to be the first abortionist to be murdered by someone looking to prevent further abortions.

Since Gunn’s murder, three other abortionists have been murdered in the United States.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.

As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Click here

Our mission is the truth. Join us!

Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.

Donate to CNA